[Asbestos-related diseases observed in Palermo (Italy) among workers exposed to asbestos].

The aim of this study was to evaluate cases of asbestos-related diseases in workers exposed to asbestos in the province of Palermo (Italy) from 2005 to 2009. Data were collected from medical records and from reports from the Prevention and Safety in the Workplace Unit of the provincial health authorities of and between Palermo. Multinomial logistic regression showed a significant association between tobacco smoke and lung cancer and between starting work at an early stage and presence of asbestosis and pleural plaques. Results confirm that over eighteen years after the entry into force of Law 257/1992, which established the cessation of all activities related to asbestos, asbestos-related diseases continue being observed in clinical practice and represent a serious public health problem.